Apparatus for extracting sugar.



PATENT ED DEC. 15, 1903.

L. NAUDET. APPARATUS FOR EXTRAGTING SUGAR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7, 1903.

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PATBNTED DEG. 15, 1903.

I L. NAUDET. APPARATUS FOR EXTRAGTING SUGAR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES Patented December 15, 1903.

LEON NAUDET, or PARIS, FRANCE.

APPARATUS FOR EXTRAGTING SUGAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 746,736, dated December 15, 1 903.

Application filed Ma a 1903. Serial No.156,i)39. (No model.)

. To all whom it may concern:

Belt known that I, LEON NAUDET, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Paris, France, have invented an Apparatus for Extracting the Sugar Constituent from Saccha rine Bodies, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a process and apparatus for extracting the sugar constituent from the divided portions of the sugar-beet, sugar-cane, or other sugar-bearing bodies.

The object of my invention is to obtain an increased yield of sugar from the sugar-bearing body and the production of 'a clear highgrade sugar-juice of uniform density.

In a former application for patent for improved process of extracting the sugar constituent from sugar-bearing bodies I have described a step in such process which consists in heating the fresh material introduced into the cold cell of the battery to a temperature of approximately 77 centigrade 'z'. e., the temperature of the juice traversing the other cells of the battery-before connecting such cold cell in series in the circulation of the other cells of the battery. This step materially improved the operation of the battery, but was open to certain objections.

My improved process or mode of operation eliminates such objections.

The objections were- First. The material in the cold cell when subjected to the action ofthe hot circulating fluid and raised to the required temperature parted with a large portion of its sugar constituent to such fluid, with the result that when the cold cell was coupled in the circulation of the other cells of the battery and made the last cell the circulating juice from the other cells when introduced into such heated cold cell firstdisplaced the very rich juice in such cell, which was followed by lessrich juice, and such juices of different degrees of richness 0r density discharged into the receiving or measuring vessel. sequence, the receiving or measuring vessel was filled with sugar-j uice in layers of dilfer ent specific gravity, while the essential requirement is a sugar-juice of uniform density.

Second. In heating the material in the coldi cell the sugar-j uice used for the purpose traversed two heaters and had its temperature Asa con-' increased by a definite amount at each passage. In the first passage of said heated juice throughlhe material in the-cold cell it lost approximately half its heat, this heat being absorbed by the material, in the second passage less than a quarterof its heat, and in the .third passage practically none of its heat,

with the result that the sugar-juice is often raised to a temperature in excess of that required to produce the best results, and consequently to avoid this objection it was nec essary to constantly manipulate the heaters in accordance with the indications of a thermometer to obtain a juice of uniform temperature, which was very difficult in practice. This objection I have overcome by the use of a compensating vessel. j

Third. In my former process the hot juice was introduced into the cold cell and then immediately circulated. This operation did not give sufficient time to effect proper mashing-i. e.,-saturationwith the resultant swelling of the material acted u poo, and, further,it was found that mashiugcan best be obtained by the use of a. lower temperature in the sugar-juice than is required'in the circulation for heating.

My improved process overcomes all the objections stated in a manner which will be described.

I Generally speaking, practice has demonstrated that in order to obtain best results it is preferable, first, to mash the cold material slowly by theintroduction of j uice, preferably in an upward direction andat a temperat'u re less than that required to effect osmosis; second, to heat the mashed material by the forced circulation through it of juice'at a fixed temperature and preferably in a downward direction and of a density equalto or greater than that of the sugar liquor contained in the cellules of the-material acted on; third, to cause the juice which is transmitted through the cells of the battery other than those, undergoing mashing and heating to move at,a con,-, .stant velocity fourth, to draw off the hottest,

richest, and purestj uice from the battery.

To carry my invention into efiect, I may make use of the apparatus which 1 will now describe.

Figure l is a plan view showing one-half of a battery of twelve cells with compensating vessel, measuring vessels, heaters, pump, pipe circulation, and valves. Fig. 2is a sec tional view taken on the line X X of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through a digester with the pipes and valves in elevation. Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the compensating vessel with the valves and pipes in elevation. Fig. 5 is a perspective view looking downward, showing the general relation of the controlling-valv es.

Referring to the drawings, 5 5 5 5 5 5 indicate the diffuser-cells. Any number of cells may constitute a battery. Usually from ten to twelve cells are employed. These cells are shown as arranged in successive order.

a They may be arranged in any required orderas, for instance, in a circle, a square, or otherwise. Situated in proximity to each cell is a heater 6. These heaters may be of any construction and heated by steam or otherwise. Each of the diffuser-cells 5 to 5 inclusive, are assumed to contain a mass of divided material containing sugar constituents-as, for instance, slices of the sugar-beet, portions of the sugar-cane, or othersugar-bearing body. It will be understood that the cells 5 to 5 inclusive, are adapted as the material within them is exhausted to be filled with fresh material in successive or other order, as desired and that any one of these cells may be considered the last or cold cell of the series.

A indicates a water-tank from which the Water is fed by gravity through pipe 8 and one of the branch pipes 9 into the top of the cell which at the time forms the first cellof the series of the battery; 10, controlling-valves in pipe 8; 11, pipe into which the sugar-juice is discharged after passing through the cells 5 to 5 inclusive, and heaters 6; 12, branch pipes between heater 6 and pipe 11; 13, valves in pipe 11;14, communicating valve between valves 10 and 13, (the operating-stem 15 of this Valve is shown at right angles to the stems of the valves 10 and 13;) 16, overflow or measuring tank which is located in a plane above that occupied by the top of the digesters; 17, compensating vessel. This vessel is constructed as shown in Fig. L. In the bottom of the vessel is arranged a perforated screen 18, and in the outlet-pipe 19 from the vessel is located a valve 20, which is controlled in its position by means of the float 21, as will be described. The outletpipe 19 is connected to the induction-orifice of a pump 22.

23 is a pipe connected at one end to the pipe 11, into which the juice is discharged by gravity from the last cell of the battery, and at its other end to the bottom of the compensating vessel 17 below the screen.

24 indicates a pipe leading from the bottom of the compensating vessel below the screen and connected to each of the digesters at a little above its medium line. Situated in this pipe is a main valve 25 and a valve 26 in front of each cell. Leading from the eduction-orifice of the pump 22 is a pipe 27, which is carried through the heater 6.

28 indicates valves for controlling the circulation through the heaters. Situated in pipe 27 and in front'of each cell is a valve 29.

It will be observed that the pipes 11 and 27 are in communication with the measuringtank 16 respectively through the pipes 11 and 27. In the pipe 11 is a valve 30 and in the pipe 27 a valve 31.

32 represents a pipe through which steam or other heating fluid is introduced into the heaters 6, 33 a pipe introduced between the top of the compensating vessel 17 and the measuring-tank 16.

It will be observed on reference to Fig. 2

that the compensating tank 17 is so situated as.

regards the cells 5 to 5 inclusive, that the level represented by the transverse line b will lie in the same plane as the top of the cells and that consequently when the cells are filled with liquid the liquid will rise to the level represented by b in the compensating vessel unless drawn down below that level by the action of the pump 22, as will be described.

The float 21 in the compensating vessel serves to control the position of the valve 20, and therefore to determine the level above which the valve may open and permit withdrawal of the sugar-juice within the tank under the action of the pump. The float is made adjustable in order that the fluid-level may be regulated at will.

The office of the pipe 24 is to introduce the heated sugar-juice into one or more of the cells directly from the compensating Vessel without passing through the pump. This is sometimes of advantage in treating canesugars. It may be entirely done away with, as it forms really no part of my improved process or method of operation.

My improved mode of operation is as follows, assuming for the purposes of description that cells 5 5, and 5 have been cut out of the general circulation of the battery and that the cell 5 is for the time being the last cell in the battery and the extracted sugarjuice is being discharged from the battery through that cell into pipe 11 in the usual manner: At such time the cell 5 is being emptied preparatory to introducing fresh material, the material in cell 5 is being mashed, and that in cell 5 is being heated. The mashing and heating are accomplished as follows: Valve 29 of 00115 is opened. This permits the highly-heated sugar-juice drawn from the compensating vessel 17 through the action of pump 22 to be discharged through pipe 9 onto the top of the material in cell 5 and to pass through the material in this cell and thence by heater 6 and pipe 12 to valve 13, which at this time is open, to pipe 11, thence by pipe 12 of cell 5 to heater 6 of this cell, and to be discharged in an upward direction and under pressure into the mass of sugar material contained within the cell. As the sugar liquor enters the cell the air is displaced and cell 5 gradually filled with liquid. When this point is reached, the liquid turns to the right in pipe 11 and joins the circulation from cell 5" tobe discharged partially through pipe 23 into the compensating vessel and through pipe 11* into the measuring vessel. At this time the valve 30in the pipe 11 is open and the valve 31 in the pipe 27 closed.

In practice I prefer to circulate the heated sugar-juice through the cold cell at the time being heated three or more times.- Theoretically the quantity of. juice which should pass through the cell for heating it must be equal in weight to three times the Weight of the material, or, otherwise, three times half of the total capacity of the cell. When the heating of' the cold cell 5 is finished, it is connected by a proper manipulation of valves in series with cell 5 5 5 850., and its communication with the compensating tank 17 and pump 22 is cut off. The cell 5 is then cut into communication with the pump to be heated and the fresh material introduced into cell 5 'mashed, as described in relation to cell 5. Cell 5 (not shown) at that time is being filled with fresh material.

It will be observed from the description so far as given that the feed of the sugar-juice,

from the battery to the compensating tank is by gravity, that the pump exerts no suction action upon the last cell of the battery, but only a forcing action to drive a portion of the sugar-juice drawn from the compensating vessel down through the cell being heated and in communication with the pipe 27 and in an upward direction into the cell being mashed-as, for instance, 5 the cell being heated, 5 the cell being mashed. As a result of this there is no concentration of dense sugar-juice in the cell being heated, the mixing of the juice'from this cell and that from the last cell of the battery in the compensating vessel serving to equalize the density, .so that the juice flowing to the measuring vessel is of uniform density and moves, by reason of the constant pressure from water-tank A, at constant velocity; further, that as the sugar-juice flows by gravity to the compensator at all times the temperature of such juice in the condenser is maintained practically uniform, and consequently the juice drawn from the compensating device and sent to the heaters 6 is uniformly heated and delivered into the digester at a uniform temperature, which, as before stated, is a point of great practical importance.

A further step in my process, which I have heretofore not referred to, consists in aiding and maintaining the uniform density of the sugar-juice extracted through the instrumen- 'tality of the battery by providing for heat- 7 ing the cold cell before coupling it in the circulation of the other cells without the extraction at such time of the sugar constituent of the material contained in the cell. In my former process circulation of the hot juice through the cell in the heating operation made the juice very rich, while the juice flowing from such cell when coupled in the circulation in the battery was less rich. The step which I now employ consists in introducing into the juice circulating through the cold cell sugar in any form sufficient in quantity to make the density of the liquid equal or greater than that of the sugar contained in the cellules of the material acted on. If the density of the two solutions-t. a, that of the juice and that in the cellsis the same, no osmosis will take place and the osmotic action to extract the sugar will be deferred until the heated cold cell has been connected in the circulation of the other cells as the last cell. This. step I find to be most advanta geous, as the sugar-juice obtained through such last cell is in the richest possible condition and at the temperature which is desirable for furthertreatment.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. An apparatus for extracting the sugar constituent from saccharine bodies, comprising a diffusion-battery, a compensating vessel, a pump, means for heating the circulating liquid external to the diifusiombattery, and the interposed pipe-circuits and valves.

2. An apparatus for extracting the sugar constituent from saccharine bodies, comprising a diffusion-battery, a measuring-tank, a compensating vessel, a pump, a heater for the liquid transmitted through-the compensating vessel, and the interposed pipes and valves.

3. An apparatus for extracting the sugar constituent from saccharine bodies, comprising a diffusion-battery, a water-pipe, a juicepipe, a compensating vessel, a pipe leading from the juice-pipe to the compensating vessel, a pump, a pipe leading from the bottom of the compensating vessel to the inlet of the pump, a heater, a pipe leading from the outlet of the pump to the heater, a pipe leading from the outlet of the heater to the separate cells of the diEusion-battery, and the interposed valves for controlling the inlet of water and the circulation.

4:. An apparatus for extracting the sugar constituent from saccharine bodies, comprising a diifusion-battery, a water-pipe, a juicepipe, at compensating vessel, a pipe leading from the juice-pipe to the compensating vessel, a pump, a pipe leading from the bottom of the compensating vessel to the inlet of the pump, a heater, a measuring-tank, a pipe leading from the outlet of the pump to the heater, a pipe leading from the outlet of the heater to the separate cells of the battery and .to the measuring-tank, and the interposed controlling-valves.

5. An apparatus for extracting the sugar constituent from saccharine bodies, comprising a difiusion-battery, a compensating vessel, a pump, a heater, a measuring vessel, and the communicating pipes and valves.

6. An apparatus for extracting the sugar constituent from saccharine bodies, comprising a diffusion-battery, a juice-pipe, a compensating vessel, a pipe interposed between the juice-pipe and the bottom of the compensating vessel, a pipe interposed between the bottom of the compensating vessel and each of the cells of the battery, and the controllingvalves in said pipes.

7. An apparatus for extracting the sugar constituent from saccharine bodies, comprising a diffusion-battery, a compensating vessel, a pipe interposed between the diffusionbattery and the compensating vessel, a pump, an outlet-pipe from said compensating vessel to the inlet of the pump, a valve in said pipe, and means in the compensating vessel for controlling said valve by the level of the liquid in the compensating vessel.

8. An apparatus for extracting the sugar constituent from saccharine bodies, comprising a supply-tank in which a uniform head of liquid is maintained, a diffusion-battery, a compensating vessel disposed at such a level as regards the battery that it will be fed by gravity therefrom, a pump, a heater, and the interposed communicating pipes and valves.

9. In an apparatus for the purpose described, a compensating vessel, a juice-pipe, connecting the bottom of the" vessel, a screen arranged over the inlet of the juice-pipe, an exit-pipe from said vessel, and a valve in said pipe controlled by the level of the liquid in said vessel.

10. In an apparatus for the purpose described, the combination of a cell of a diffusion-battery, a compensating vessel, a pump, a heater, and the interposed pipes and valves, whereby circulation may be maintained through said cell without interrupting the general circulation of the battery.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

LEON NAUDET.

WVitnesses:

J. E. PEARSON, FRANK OCoNNoR. 

